6 Golden But Subtle Jokes From the Office That Went Over Your Head

While some of the jokes in the show are so wrongfully good that we watch them over and over again, there are other golden jokes that are so subtle that you may not have even seen them before.

Here are six subtle Office jokes that are pure works of art that went over your head.

St. Patrick's Day

On Jo's last day at the Scranton office, there is a tangible sense of anticipation in the air as everyone looks forward to meeting Todd Packer after three years of departure. But in the midst of the excitement, Michael inadvertently adds a touch of hilarity to the day after, in an attempt to bring some St. Patrick's Day spirit to the office, he decorates his workplace with a flag.

Unfortunately, his efforts quickly backfire when he proudly displays an Italian flag instead of an Irish one, showing off his cultural mix-up in a way that is both hilarious and adorable.

Michael as Darryl

In the Costume Contest episode, Michael decides to dress up as Darryl and wears a wig to match his signature haircut. However, it is what is missing rather than what is present that is most subtle and remarkable about his costume.

Eagle-eyed viewers may notice a black smudge on the back of Michael's neck, which suggests that he may have considered going into full blackface as a part of his costume.

Phyllis' Wedding

Season 3 brought one of the show's funniest episodes with Michael trying to take center stage at Phyllis and Bob's wedding. While all of the viewers' attention is captured by Michael and his awkward attempts to fit in, a subtle moment occurs during the bouquet toss.

After Phyllis throws her bouquet to the female guests, it almost gets caught by Kelly, but Ryan steps in and knocks it out of her hand, serving as another reminder of the toxicity of their relationship.

Michael’s Salad Dressing

There's a quick and easy-to-miss moment during Season 4 that highlights Michael Scott's love of self-branding. During a lunch scene with Jan, you can see a jar of salad dressing on his desk labeled Great Scott with Michael's face on the label, humorously underscoring his desire for self-promotion in the most unexpected places.

Groundhog Day

When Jim asks Michael to schedule the intervention on Groundhog Day, he hopes that Michael will admit to the camera that he's celebrating the day alone, and that's exactly what Michael does. Jim's look into the camera suggests that he asked this on purpose, making the idea of celebrating Groundhog Day alone ridiculously funny.

Diet Coke

In Season 5, Michael finds himself in a difficult situation when he tells his employees that they must find a way to spend the Scranton branch's profit. However, this leads to heated debates among the staff, and when Michael feels overwhelmed by the conflicting opinions, he seeks solace in the break room, where he pulls out a diet soda and pours dozens of sugar into the can.